The Epic Games Store’s Christmas 2024 gift is Remedy’s Control. At the time this post goes live, you have another six hours or so to permanently add it to your library for free.
Granted, it’s not the first time the game has been offered through such a promotion. The Epic Games Store itself already gave it away for free in June 2021; the following year, AT&T subscribers could redeem the Ultimate Edition for free. In that light, it might be a tad underwhelming. However, for anybody who still hasn’t got the chance to play the game, it’s absolutely worth taking up on the freebie.
Released in August 2019, Control was Remedy’s return to owned IPs after making Quantum Break for Microsoft. It was developed on a €30 million budget, which is relatively small for a triple-A game, and published by 505 Games. The game was highly successful for Remedy (over 4.5 million units sold), not to mention an excellent action/adventure to play, as I explained in my review of the game where I scored it 8 out of 10:
Control features Remedy’s most original setting yet, the studio’s most open-ended game environment yet and great action combat that makes you feel like a badass. The game also stands out on PC as one of the finest examples of real-time ray tracing to date. It shouldn’t be passed upon by any action/adventure game fans, even if it’s not quite a masterpiece.
Control is part of the so-called Remedy Connected Universe, which includes Alan Wake. As such, protagonist Jesse Faden has appeared in the Alan Wake 2 DLC Night Springs. She is, of course, due to reprise her role again in the upcoming action RPG sequel, which will be co-financed by Annapurna Interactive. The media production company is also going to adapt the universe to the film and TV series formats.
Meanwhile, the IP will be expanded next year with the release of the cooperative multiplayer spin-off FBC Firebreak, where players take the role of Federal Bureau of Control first responders who get sent to defend the FBC’s HQ, the eerie, ever-shifting Oldest House, from any kind of paranatural threats.
